So I was a beneficiary of the starter kit from TSD. I'm very happy to report that it's a great starter set is exactly what I was looking for. It came with an Edwin Jagger razor, Dorco and Lord razors, a badger brush, and a handy carrying case. I was pretty apprehensive about my first shave if for anything because when I put the first blade in the razor I started to understand just how sharp those blades really are. But the first shave went pretty well and I didn't try to get it too incredibly smooth. One of the things I liked best was using the shave soap (Proraso), just a completely different experience than the goop I used before. The second shave was the problem. I think I immediately got way to confident and went way too fast. Got a few nicks and some razor burn. I learned my lesson. A great piece of advice that only made sense once I started shaving is to let the razor do the work. I also got some Proraso pre-shave balm and that cut down on some irritation I was having on my neck. Mantic's videos were a big help as was the suggestion to get the starter set in the first place. The analogy of wet shaving being like usual a manual transmission versus an automatic transmission is really spot on. Wet shaving definitely makes you focus and be more aware, which is its own reward.
Just like anything else, skill is acquired through practice not purchase. In a month you will look back and wonder why you were ever apprehensive. Congrats on taking the first step. Please ask if you have any questions, this is really helpful board.
Exactly! Just keep plugging away. With time the shave will improve and you will have fewer problems. But of course, feel free to ask questions whenever you have them. Most of us are still learning even after doing this for years.
Congrats on making the jump! :signs107 Like the others have said, over time the shaves will improve as your technique does.
It's good that things are working out for you. It will indeed get better. Maybe the biggest mental leap is realizing that there actually is skill involved here. The skill factor applies to cartridge shaving as well, and I strongly suspect, even to electrics. That's something you may not realize, however, if you were just handed a cartridge razor and canned gel and told to go at it. Using a traditional safety razor really brings the fact to one's attention. Of course, some men in previous generations were just handed a DE and told to go at it; many never learned to use them properly. That may be one reason why cartridges seemed like such a great idea at first. Anyway, enough of my rambling for one day. Enjoy the shaves.:happy005
I'm still learning as well, and I did the exact same Day 2 mishap. I think the weirdest thing I've learned is that all my neck hair grows toward my right arm. Even on the left side it all has a rightward grain...
I probably wet shaved for 40 years at least before I realized exactly the growth direction of my beard...and this new found knowledge improved my shaving results immeasurably...It was when I rub a wet Arko Shave Stick into my wet whiskers that I could clearly see that the growth pattern was very complex and not what I had always thought it to be. knowing your growth pattern and not using pressure, let the razor do the work...These are the things that got rid of the neck irritation for me. A sharp blade, the right angle, no pressure and really doing a WTG pass and XTG pass, and after getting confidence in your "chops" you do the ATG pass last, after most of the hair has been removed...It works !! And you are right on about the slow down and be cool...I mainly use an injector, and they inspire high speed acts of reckless abandon. My Super Speed does this also to a lesser degree...They're a blast but I have to force myself to slowdown and remember there is a razor in this thing...And whenever I do the shaves are downright heavenly. Slivovitch is sooo right...many maybe most weren't shaving correctly when the cartridges made the scene, and that is what made the cartridges seem like a good idea... I never even heard of the conventional 3 pass shave...til I came back to TWS a couple years ago...And I learned to shave in the mid-60's...my Dad taught me a way of getting the 3 passes in one pass, and it works, but we were using injectors...With DE's that method didn't get as close a shave. The 3 pass system that Mantic shows and most use here is much more logical and fool-proof. And does deliver BBS shaves with a good DE razor...But I still only need 1 1/2 or 2 passes most of the time with an injector. Although believe me, I'm not rushing, I love each pass...)
I have to agree with suddenly realizing that actual skill is needed. I didn't grow up with my Dad, so I really did just grab some razors and gel and learned to shave by myself. Not bleeding was good enough and the next iteration of the mach 53 or whatever would surely be just the thing to get me closer more comfortable shaves. This ignorance is what keeps the cartridge cartels going. Now I'm struggling each day to refine my technique to get that better shave.
There's not much to add here other than "uhhh, yeah; what he said." This board is a wealth of helpfulness and encouragement. Good luck and enjoy your shaves!
I think we've all experienced similar results. My first 2 shaves left me with razor burn on my neck especially. Then I read a little more on here. Since then, it's only gotten better!
